Cyaniding-tower.



A. F. TAN'NER.

CYANIDING TOWER. 'APPLlcAUoN man 1 uLY 1'4, 1915.

y Patented 001.17?,1916.

2 SilEETS-SHEET l.

Turm' A. F. TNNER.

` CYANIDING TOWER.

" APPLICATION FILED IuLY 14,I9I5.

n, Patented OCI. 17,1916.`v

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

STATES PATENT orricn. 'y

ALBERT F. TANNER, Olil GREENFIELD, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO IDEAL CON'ILINUOUS CYANIDING PROCESS COMPANY, OF DAVENPORT, LIOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA.

CYANIDIne-Townn.

Appiieation ined July 14, 1915. serial Nq. 39,735.

i To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT F. TANNER, a

citizen of the'United States, and resident ofthe town of Greenfield, .in the county of This invention hasY for its object to* pro` vide means for agitating, aerating and heat-A ing orev pulp and cyanid'solution to enableA the latter to thoroughly dissolve all gold and silver values from the ore pulp ina continuous process cyaiiiding system.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide such a cyaniding means in which lthe ore pulp is treated in. small quantities and is gradually advanced upwardlythroughf a' series of steps, the elevating means being so,

designed as to select the lighter particles in transferring material from one step to` another', thus havingftheytendency toy leave the heavier particles containing values to prolong the treatment thereof. i

Another object of the invention is to provide such a cyanidingtower of a multiple unit construction permitting expansionl and v contraction thereof to fit the requirements of a particular ore at a particular time, and to be varied withfthe variation 4of such requirements from' time to time so as to increase or reduce the extent of the cyanidingy treatment in a continuous process.

Another object Vof vthe invention is to permit of adjustment of the elevating meansl with respect to the pans containing the material so as to vary the selective ability of" such elevating means and allow of a greater or less space for the escape of the heavier particles of value bearing ore from'fthe action of tlie elevating means.

Another 'obj ect of the invention'is to provide suitable-means for supporting and ad-l justing the position of'theheatingpipes and the pans.

, Another object ofi-the invention is to provide a common means for driving the elevating meansl of the several pans and for maintaining proper driving connection therewith.

l.Another object ofthe invention is to perfect details of construction in a cyaniding l tower ofthis type.

lfiththe above and other objects in view the invention consists in the cyaniding tower as herein claimed and'all equivalents.`

Referring to the laccompanying vdrawings in wli-ichlike characters of reference indicate the same1 parts'inv `the diiferent viewsz" Figure l is a sideelevation of alcyaniding tower constructed in accordance with this invention, parts vbeing broken away for` clearness; Fig; 2 isa sectional view showspeciaeatim of Letters raamt. ,1Min-Iliad 0G13, 17, 1916,l

ing the 'construction 'and arrangement` of the lowermost pan thereof; Fig.l 3 is-an enlarged detail sectional view of Vaf fragment of the tower; Fig. 4 is a similar viewv at right angles thereto; Fig. '5 is a similar view o f the near supporting posts shown in Fig. 3 as viewed-in the opposite direction; Fig.

6 is a detail view-ofone of theaelevating l and agitating cylinders ;l Fig. 7 is a detail view of the upper edge'of one of the inclined pansgFig. 8 is aview showing a modied form of tower frame with a different ar'- rangenient of heating pipesl forrsupporting the inclined pansgand Fig. 9 is lal diagram view showing'theuse ofthe auxiliary sectionalelevatingtower Vand the sectional de- 'K scending tower.

Inthese drawings l() indicates a frame, l

preferably -made up ofl a pair of Vuprights on each side'thereof and connected at the base and top 'by-cross pieces to form arect'angular' construction' which preferably, though -not`necessarily, made up, of sections which are uniform except as-to the top and,A

base sections v101 and 102 respectively so that sections may be addedor removed without altering the 'general construction of the machine, the frontvand rear-,parallel uprights being preferably spliced as shown to facilitate this expansion and contraction of K the machine.

In vldesr'zribing ,the ma'chine the l,near side, as shown in Fig. Vl, will 'be referred to as the front, merely for convenience. Double brackets-l1 are vadjustably vsecured to the inner faces of the rear frame standards or uprights, as best yseen at the uppery part of Fig. 3, and have vertical slots through which the clamping bolts passfor this purpose. Each of these double brackets has four steps or angular projections 13 forming pipe rests,

the two on one side being one above the Y other, andthe twoy on the other sidebeing alsol one above thel other, but one being the machine, and those on the right are connected with the pipes of the adjacent brackets above and below so that the entire heating pipe 14 forms a sinuous coil, the bends of which are alternately positioned at the right and left sides of the machine, and

steam or hot water is circulated through the coil to heat the sheet metal pans 16 which rest thereon. The front ends of the bends of the heating pipe 14 are similarly supported by double brackets 17 adjustably secured to the uprights of the front of the frame by bolts 12 as before, the principal difference between the brackets 11 and 17 being that the latter are provided with only two pipe rests 13, instead of four. rThe pans 16 have inclined bottoms with front and rear upstanding walls and a curved upstanding wall extending with the adjoining front and rear walls considerably higher than the remainder o-f the pan to lit approximately a quarter way around a cylindrical elevating and agitating means which is contained therein, as will be later described. The upper end of the pan is without an upstanding wall and constitutes a trough with an adjustable lip 16 secured to its edge to receive the material from the elevating cylinder of the pan below. Flanges 1S on the bottom of the upper end of the pan engage the pipe 14 and angular projections 19 on the sides of the pan are connected by bolts 2O with projections from the pipe rests 13.

Angular brackets 21 are adjustably secured to the sides of the frame and have adjustably mounted in their outstanding grooved portions bearing boxes 22 in which are ournaled shafts 23. The agitating and elevating cylinders before referred to are fixed on these shafts 23 and comprise end disks 24, which it close against the side cheeks of the pan 16 and are approximately concentric with the curved portion of the bottom of the pan, and metal plates or blades 25 which fit between the disks 24 and have flanges at their ends by which they are riveted or otherwise secured to the disks. The said plates 25 are arranged tangentially to a circle of smaller diameter than the disks and are regularly positioned and extend from near the periphery of the disk to the point of contact with the adjacent plate, thus forming a cylinder or drum of V-shaped pockets. Each pocket is sealed or has the space at the lowermost part thereof plugged with a filling of cement 26 to prevent leakage from the pocket to the interior of the cylinder, and a brace rod 27 extends across the pocket and is connected with the two plates 25 between which the pocket is formed. The connecting bolt or rivet which fastens one brace rod 27 to the plate 25 connects the brace rod of the next pocket thereto also. At their outer edges the plates 25 have reversible wearing strips 28 bolted thereto and projecting beyond the plates to take the wear thereof and having their edges turned outwardly and when these strips become worn they may be reversed so as to present their other edges, and when they are no longer useful they may be substituted by others.

Each shaft 23 is provided with a sprocket wheel 29 on its end, and a chain 30 which is driven from a sprocket wheel 31 on a suitably driven drive shaft 32 journaled on the top section of the frame passes up and down the frame and in so doing engages the sprocket wheels 29 of all of theshafts of the cylinders. The downwardly traveling portion of the chain engages the sprocket wheels on the same side thereof as the upwardly traveling portion of the chain so that the cylinders on the two sides of the machine turn in opposite directions as is necessitated by the reverse arrangement of the inclined pans and their cylinders, for each cylinder is to be turned so that the portion thereof cooperating with the curved walls of the pan moves upwardly with its plates 25 projecting in the same general direction, that is,'the plates traveling with their free edges in advance to scoop material from the bottom of the pan and lift it with the cooperation of the curved portion of the pan until the pockets are so nearly upright that they are capable of retaining the material. Then, as the pockets travel over the cylinder and their front walls begin to decline, the material runs down such declining walls into the trough-like open end of the pan above. An idle sprocket wheel 33 forms the turning point between the descending and the ascending portion of the chain. Bent slide rods 34 are adjustably secured through elongated slots to the frame 10 and carry idle sprockets 35 which bear against the chain and hold it in engagement with the sprocket wheels 29.

The lowermost pan 16 instead of having its upper end directed toward the opposite side of the machine from the side on which its cylinder is mounted extends the other way so as to form a receiving trough into which the material is originally delivered to the machine, such pan being supported by a bracket 36 and having a curved plate 3T mounted therein to coperate with the cylinder in lifting the material therefrom and delivering it to the next pan. The upperi trough 103, shown in dotted lines in Fig. l,

through which the material is conducted away from the tower. A platfortp 38 is sup-y ported on each side of the tower by angle iron beams 39 which are securedto the sides of the frame and are `held in place by angle iron braces 40. Thesey platforms enable inspection of and attention to the pansand their cylinders at the upper portion Vof the tower. f

- In operation power applied to the shaft` 32 causes the chain to travel up and down the tower and 'turn all of the cylinders by its connection with their sprocket wheels.

The finely crushed ore pulp and the cyanid' solution which are vdelivered to the lowermost pan 16usually from a stamping mill, are subjected to the action of the cylinder in said pan, particles being lifted a short distance thereby. and then slipping back into the pan while a part thereof will continue with the cylinder until the pocket in which it is contained passes over the center of the cylinder. Then the material slides down the inclined front wall of the pocket and Vinto the trough-like upper end ofthe next pan, down which it travels to the cylinder of such pan by reason of the inclinedl bottom of the pan. I.This operation is repeated for each of the numerous pans inthe tower and `the scouring of the particles of sand and ore by the action ofthe cylinders, which are preferably set a short `distance away from the rounded portion of the pan, so that there is the desired slippage of material from the pockets back into the pan during. the upwardv travel of the pockets, serves to keep the exposed surface free from the protecting film which-is produced by the action of the cyanid solution or acids in the ore, thus enabling the cyanid solution to continue its ac'- tion in dissolving the values. This scouring action effected by strong agitation at the bottom of each of the solution'pans through out the entire tower is of'material assistance i the elevating action vof the cylinders than a lighter particle of ore or sand not con taining value. The -escape of the heavier particles from the lifting action of thercylinder is more frequent becausesuch particles as a class will naturally take the lowermost position inthe pan and; on being moved along by rthe rotating blades of the cylinder c /will be rst to slip out of the range of said blades to fall back to the bottom of the pan again, `and are thus constantly kept in moj tion. Not only is the dissolution of the values facilitated by thev agitating and scouring 'action above referred to, but the heating of the materials by the heating pipe 14 further acceleratesy the dissolution, and

the aeration that takes place as the result of the turning of the cylinders to bring the air filled pockets beneath the surface of the liquid where the air'escapes and is replaced by liquids and solids is of further benefit' by supplying the oxygen'necessaryfor the chemical action by which dissolution is accomplished.

The adjustment of the cylinders both as to verticaal clearance and horizontal clearance is permitted by the sliding connections of the cylinder bearings 22 .Y and their brackets 21, so that the desired amount of slippage of the heavier` particles of ore from the elevating cylinders may be provided to suitthev requirementsl of each particular case.

t As stated, the tower need not be of a seci tional frame construction, but this is not only a matter of convenience, as for transportation through mountainous country, but' is actually of value in the operation, from the fact that it permits of exact adjustment of the size of the tower to suit the particular requirements of the ore at any particular time,

t'o the Solubility'of its'ore, andconsequently thereis necessityv for a more prolonged cyaniding treatment at one time than at an-` other,.and this sectional construction of theI elevating tower permits of the addition of` tower units to prolong the cyaniding process when an examination ofthe tailings shows that values are escaping, and permits ofthe removal of sections as they become unnecessary with a more favorable run ofthe mine.

Eventhough `asingle frame tower may be originally installed in a cyaniding plant with a vcapacity estimated as sufficient to properly dissolve all values, `it may'develop lin course of time that additional cyaniding treatment isdesirable, and then an auxiliary tower of sectional construction may be placed l parallel with the main tower and enough sections added thereto until tests prove satisfactory, and a third tower containing the inl clined pans 16 only, and without the heating pipes or the cylinders, ofthe same number. of sections and consequently ofabout the"` same heightas the a'uxiliarytower, may be,

positioned between the tower and the auxiliary tower, or adjacent thereto, as Y shown in Fig. 9,1so that thematerial after i being elevated by the auxiliaryftower may descend through the third tower from one pan to the next, and thus receive an additional agitation and aeration without the expenditure of energy, the material being discharged from the third tower to the bottom of the main tower.

In F ig. 8 is shown a modified form of the tower wherein the frame is composed of angle iron uprights 10 having long and short brackets ll to support the coils of pipe lll which are arranged in two series instead of one, and each series provides a length of pipe directly beneath the center of an agitating cylinder to form a rest for the lowest part of the larger end of the pan 16, and its return length extending beneath the upper end of the next pan to form a rest therefor.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l, A cyanid plant, comprising a series of inclined pans each arranged above the preceding pan in the series with its higher end above the lower end of the said preceding pan, and elevating means adj ustably mounted at the lower end of each pan for lifting material therefrominto the upper end of the succeeding pan in the series.

2. A cyanid plant, comprising a series of inclined pans arranged one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the higher end of the succeeding pan, and a` pocketed cylinder adjustably mounted at the lower end of each pan and adapted to lift material therefrom to the upper end of the next pan of the series.

3. In a cyanid plant, a series of-inclined pans arranged one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the higher end of the succeeding pan in the series, the lower end of each pan forming a concave, a pocketed cylinder rotatably mounted at the lower end of each pan and having the concave cooperate therewith for lifting material to the upper end of the next pan in the series, and means for varying the clearance space between the cylinders and the pans.

l. A cyanid plant, comprising a series of inclined pans with their lower ends curved to ,form eoncaves, a pocketed cylinder ournaled across the lower end of each pan to coperate with the concave portion of the pan to lift material therefrom to the upper end of the succeeding pan and means for varying the clearance space between the cylinders and the pans.

5. A cyanid plant, comprising a frame, a heating pipe extending back and forth across the frame alternately at the opposite ends thereof with its portions extending across the frame horizontal and its intermediate portions inclined, inclined pans removably resting upon the horizontal portions of the heating pipe, the lower end of one pan being beneath the higher end ofthe next pan in the series, adjustable brackets on the frame cylinders adjustably journaled in the brackets across the lower ends ofthe pans, and blades on the cylinders for lifting-material from the lower end of one pan to the upper end of the next pan.

6. A cyanid plant, comprising a frame, pan supports extending across the frame, inclined pansresting on the pan supports with the lower end of one pan beneath the upper end of the next pan in the series, journal bearings adjustably mounted on the fra-me, a shaft j ournaled in the bearings, a cylinder on the shaft, and blades on the cylinder for lifting material from the lower end of one pan to the upper end of the next pan.

7. ln a cyanid` plant, a series ofvinclined pans arranged one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the upper end of the next pan of the series, pocketed lifting drums -rotatably mounted in the lower part of each pan and comprising end disks, tangentially arranged plates secured to the end disks and forming pockets between them, clamping bolts at the edges of the plates, wearing strips secured to the edges of the plates by means of the clamping bolts, and brace rods connecting the clamping bolts of adjacent plates.

8. In a cyanid plant, a series of inclined pans arranged-one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the upper end of the next pan of the series, and pocketed drums rotatably mounted across the lower ends of the pans comprising end disks, plates connected to the end disks and arranged tangentially to form pockets between them, and reversible wearing strips secured to the edges of the plates.

9. A cyanid plant, comprising a frame, a series of inclined pans mounted thereon with the lower end of one pan beneath the upper end of the next pan in the series, angle brackets verticallyadjustable on the frame, bearings horizontally adjustable on the angle brackets, a shaft journaled in the bearings, and a pocketed' drum mounted on the shaft for lifting the material from the lower end of one pan to the upper end of the next pan of the series.

10. A cyanid plant, comprising a frame, a series of inclined pans arranged one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the upper end of the next pan of the series, pocketed drums journaled across the lower ends of the pans for lifting material therefrom to the upper ends of the succeed.- ing pans, sprocket wheels carried bysaid drums, and a suitably driven chain engaging the sprocket wheels on one side of themachine in its downward course and the sprocket wheels on the other side of the machine in its upward course, slide rods adjustably mounted onV the frame, and idle wheels carried thereby and engaging the chain for holding it in engagement with the sprocket wheels.

11. In a. cyanid plant, 'a frameiformed of interfitting similar'sections, a series of inf bled frame sections.

. Copies of this patent may be obtained for l2. A cya-nid plant, comprising a frame, double brackets' adjustably mounted thereon and provided with pipe seats at different elevations, a sinuous heating pipe extending back and forth across the frame alternately at the opposite ends thereof and resting on the pipe seats with its portions extending across the frame horizontal and its intermediate portions inclined, inclined pans removably resting upon the horizontal porticns'of the heating pipe, the lower end of one pan being beneath the higher end of the next pan in the series, and drums journaled in the frame across the lower end of the pans and provided `with pockets to lift the p ranged one above another with .the lower end of each pan beneath the higher endk of the succeeding pan, and a 'pocketed cylinder mounted at Vthe lower end ofeach pan and adapted to lift material therefrom to the upperv end of the next pan of the series, anv

auxiliary sectional elevating tower comprising interfitting frame sections similarly provided with inclinedy pans and pocketed cylinders, anda sectional descending tower formed of interitting frame vksections provided with. inclined pans, one vdischarging into another, and receiving material from the upperend-of the auxiliary tower and delivering it to the lower end of the first mentioned elevating tower. n I

14. A cyanid plant, comprising a series of inclined'pans arranged one above another with the lower end of each pan beneath the y higher end of the succeeding pan, a pocketed cylinder mounted at the lower end of each pan and adapted to lift material therefrom rto the upper end ofthe next pan in the series, and an adjustable lipl secured to the upper edge of eachpan to regulate the distance between said edge of the pan andthe Vcylinder of the pan beneath.

In testimony `whereof,I aiiix my signature', in presence of two witnesses.'

Y ALBERT F. TANNER. l/Vitnesses I R. S, C. CALDWELL, L. lGr. THEURER."

five cents each, by addressing the JGoniinissioner of IPateiits, .Washingtomll C. 

